Just under a couple of weeks after that, Yolande, Producers Courtney Carreras, Lisa, and I completed a 3-day shoot of, what turned out to be, our amazing project. From Cast to Crew (John Barr... are you kidding me?!)... the entire experience was, in Yolande's terms, AMAZE-BALLS! (If you haven't clicked it yet, check out www.CurdledTheMovie.com.) So all of this is to say... Curdled is DONE! Yep, and there's a website and a TRAILER and more joy than my heart can handle.
The process for getting the film done was pretty nontraditional. While the innumerable books, the many classes, workshops and seminars I've engaged were extremely helpful in making me ready, none could have prepared me for the series of actual events that let me to/through this production. (Accidentally calling her, who knew him, who put me in touch with ... blah-blah-blah...) Events that I learned some really hard, deep lessons from; lessons that will serve me for the rest of my film-making life. I will say, though, that they did prepare me as a film professional and that, if I stuck with it, opportunity would inevitably present itself. So, for those wondering about the "magic formula" for breaking in, I would say there truly is no magic; no slight of hand. Do the the work and don't sleep on ANY connection you make. It may be the one that opens an entirely unexpected world of possibilities.
I've sucked the marrow out of the "child/film birthing" metaphor but making a film really is like birthing a baby. All of the anxiety and fear around whether or not it will be healthy (and cute). The worry and wonder and prayer that the caregivers will love it as much as you do, and give the best to it, as if it was their own. Well, I was EXTREMELY blessed in that aspect. The cast AND crew was an amazing group of creative professionals. For my first time at the big show, I feel like I'm showing up with the dopest representation ever.
I am also excited to report that I even recorded a song for the film! (Maybe when I'm feeling more intrepid, I will post a link to my funky blues tune, "Old Mama.") I had planned it as a part of the production but the actualization of it was even more amazing that I could have hoped. While I did sing the lead vocal (which means I can cross off Bucket List items # 70 & 71, because my husband, who IS a singer, recorded with me), I'm VERY CLEAR that I'm no singer. Much respect to singers. From here on, I'm staying in my lane.
If there is a down side, it is that everything changes once things become "real." In exciting ways and in disappointing ways. People around me started dreaming big and looking forward to how they could benefit from my anticipated "fame" (a fame which is TOTALLY imaginary). Others started to separate themselves with statements like, "Remember all of us little people," (as if I'm going somewhere or as if there is such thing as "little" people when it comes to being in a person's life) and "When are you moving to LA?" What they fail to understand is that short films are made everyday and no one is guaranteed any movement because of them. I am EXTREMELY proud of what I wrote and what we, as a team, were able to accomplish. But, don't write me off into Hollyweird just yet. I am working harder than ever on my next scripts, revising old scripts, trying to have plenty to say should my phone ring (and it's not my dad).
My prayer is that the real love and support of family and (real) friends doesn't waiver. I need it like a newborn needs colostrum. As it happens, in case this film thing didn't work out, I applied to grad school at the University of San Francisco; like, on the off-chance that I got in, the sting of my unrequited film career would not feel so devastating. Well, as the Universe would have it, I got in! So, at the same time that I will be hitting film festivals hard, I will be working on my MS in Education. When it rains it pours... in all the best ways.
We are in the process of planning a screening for Curdled in Oakland. I won't spoil the surprise as all of the details are still coming together. But I have been very active on Twitter and Facebook, so you might find tidbits here and there as things progress. Until then, stay tuned. New episodes of this "series" are sure to be posted more frequently. Well... maybe.
